17. *Lastly, _It endureth all things_. This compleats the character, of him that is truly merciful. He endureth not some, not many things only, not most, but absolutely _all things_. Whatever the injustice, the malice, the cruelty of men, can inflict, he is able to suffer. He calls nothing intolerable; he never says of any thing, “This is not to be borne.” No; he can, not only do, but suffer all things thro’ Christ which strengtheneth him. And all he suffers does not destroy his love, not impair it in the least. It is proof against all. It is a flame that burns even in the midst of the great deep. _Many waters cannot quench his love, neither can the floods drown it._ It triumphs over all. It _never faileth_, either in time or in eternity. “In obedience to what heaven decrees, Knowledge shall fail and prophecy shall cease. But lasting charity’s more ample sway, Nor bound by time, nor subject to decay, In happy triumph shall for ever live, And endless good diffuse, and endless praise receive.” So shall _the merciful obtain mercy_: not only by the blessing of God, upon all their ways, by his now repaying the love they bear to their brethren, a thousand fold into their own bosom: but likewise by _an exceeding and eternal weight of glory_, in the _kingdom prepared for them from the beginning of the world_. 18. *For a little while you may say, _Wo is me that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech, and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar_! You may pour out your soul, and bemoan the loss of true, genuine love in the earth. Lost indeed! You may well say, (but not in the antient sense) “See how _these Christians_ love one another!” These Christian kingdoms, that are tearing out each other’s bowels, desolating one another with fire and sword! These Christian armies, that are sending each other by thousands, by ten thousands quick into hell! These Christian nations, that are all on fire with intestine broils, party against party, faction against faction! These Christian cities, where deceit and fraud, oppression and wrong, yea, robbery and murder go not out of their streets! These Christian families, torn asunder with envy, jealousy, anger, domestic jars, without number, without end! Yea, what is most dreadful, most to be lamented of all, these Christian churches!――Churches, (_tell it not in_ Gath――but alas, how can we hide it, either from _Jews_, _Turks_, or _Pagans_?) that bear the name of _Christ_ the Prince of peace, and wage continual war with each other! That convert sinners by burning them alive: that are _drunk with the blood of the saints_!――Does this praise belong only to Babylon _the Great, the Mother of Harlots and abominations of the earth_? Nay, verily: but reformed churches (so called) have fairly learned to tread in her steps. Protestant churches too know to persecute, when they have power in their hands, even unto blood. And mean while, how do they also